A DISABLED teenager's dream of learning to drive has been shattered because she fails to meet the requirements of a mobility charity.

Hayley Parsonage, 17, from Little Sutton, applied for financial help to Motability earlier this year.

But she was turned down because her savings exceed the stipulated limit and she is also in full-time employment.

Hayley, who works at the Boat Museum, has sacral agenesis, which affects her height and causes a loss of sensation below the knees of both legs.

The cost of the car adaptations alone would cost her nearly #6,000, which is way beyond her financial abilities.

She said: 'I realise Motability receives a lot of applications, but I was always getting fobbed off with excuses and it took them five months to reply to my numerous calls.

'I want to learn to drive because it gives me independence. It would also give my mum and dad a break after 17 years of giving me lifts everywhere.'

A spokesman for Motability said: 'We receive a large number of applications for financial assistance and apologise to Miss Parsonage for the distress caused in the delay in processing her grant application.

'The application to meet the cost of vehicle adaptations was given full consideration but as such grants are means tested, it did not fall within policy guidelines.

'We suggest she contacts Access to Work, which may be able to assist her with funding for the modifications.'

However, a spokesman for Access to Work said such funding was outside the remit of the scheme they provide.

Hayley's mum Ann said: 'Access to Work have been wonderful and issued Hayley with new office furniture at work as well as paying her taxi fares.

'But it's upsetting and frustrating that she's being treated so unfairly. She is being penalised for wanting her independence.'

Hayley added: 'I have no idea where to turn to next. Seven months on from first applying to learn to drive, I'm nowhere. But I'm determined to drive - I'll get there eventually.'